Aug 5, 2010

Government Punishes Good $ Decisions

I looked online to see what the Income Eligibility Guidelines are for free and reduced priced lunches in public schools. They've not been published yet for the 10-11 school year, but I was directed to the usda page that talks about it. I clicked on the 09-10 form, figuring that the amounts wouldn't be very different.

It seemed like normal Government-ese until I started skimming down the definition of "income." Check out this one:

(14) other cash income.Other cash income would include cashamounts received or withdrawn fromany source including savings,investments, trust accounts and otherresources that would be available to paythe price of a child’s meal.

Let's say I used to be employed. Let's say I put money away for a rainy day. Let's say that now I'm out of work. My good financial decision to save during the good times is being punished. My savings is considered "income" and my children are not eligible for reduced price lunches for no other reason than that I exercised wisdom and good financial sense.

If I had blown every cent when I had the chance, whether on cigarettes, alcohol, gambling, or drugs, I'd be rewarded with reduced priced lunches.

Something's rotten. I didn't cause it, and I can't cure it, but I know stink when I smell it.

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Successful Families

The goal of any business is success. If your Catholic family were a business, how would you define and measure success? Adherence to the Magisterium of the Church? Money management? Positive relationships? Positive impact on the world around you? How about all of the above?

Important disclaimer: Connie is not a professional attorney, tax adviser, financial adviser, psychologist, psychic, nor any occupation which requires licensure. All advice is freely given, for entertainment and/or edification only, for you to accept or ignore at your discernment.